Education Through Partnership
One Model of Cross Sector Learning
U-First!
Presenters:
Maureen O’Connell
Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant, Simcoe
County
Lisa Morasse, Public Education Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of
Kawartha Lakes
Jane Scott, Resource Supervisor, Reena Thornhill
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
U-First!
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The U-First! education initiative was part of
the Ontario Government’s comprehensive
multi-year Alzheimer Strategy (1999-2004). It
was sponsored by the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care.
It is currently managed by the Ontario
Community Support Association.
www.u-first.ca
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
U-First! = Understanding - Flagging,
Interaction, Reflection & Reporting,
Support, Team.
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The goals of U-First! are to develop a common knowledge base, a
common language, common values, and a common approach to
providing care for persons with Alzheimer Disease and related
dementias.
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U-First! provides a practical method for shared problem-solving and
care planning; it also assists with the implementation of P.I.E.C.E.S.
concepts.
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Unique to U-First! is the innovative yet practical “job aide”, the U-First!
Wheel, which serves as a tool to promote on-the-job dialogue and
communication between partners in care.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Connection to DS sector
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OPADD decided to investigate the relevance of U-First to DS
sector
The ADD PIECES/U-First Training Task Group was established
in 2004 with the intent to: review the PIECES and U-FIRST
curriculum in order to adapt the training material for relevance for
Developmental Services.
 Feedback was given to PIECES/U-First teams to revise
information in resource guides and add cases to the guides to
reflect the developmental disability sector
 February 22/05, Cathy Conway of Alzheimer Society of Ontario
and Maureen O’Connell co-facilitated a one-day session to
OPADD members
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Innovations Grant
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As part of the Facilities Initiative, the
Innovations Grant (2005) was announced.
This was opportune timing and allowed a
proposal to be generated for provincial crosssector facilitator training
A session was held in 2006 with
representatives of 8 regions.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Innovations Grant cont’d
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The result was a co-facilitation team model where
representatives of long term care and developmental services
would deliver the 2-day U-First program (for supervisors)
These facilitator teams were responsible for delivering at least
one session in their respective regions. One session was
financially supported through the Innovations grant.
Some regions have been able to sustain this over time offering
sessions throughout the year.
Jane and Lisa are one such team and continue on in their efforts
to deliver U-First to a cross-sector audience in the Central East
region.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Workshop Outcomes
Promote dialogue using:
 A common knowledge base,
 Common language,
 Approach to think through a problem.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
U-First! Fundamental
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U-First! starts with YOU
A way of looking at a person’s circumstances
and its cause’s
A way of identifying changes, needs,
supports & responses
A way of sharing what works
Supports all that you do with the person
Supports the teams’, work with the person
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Involvement of the TEAM:
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Principles to Work and Live by;
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“The Art of Possibility”
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Speak possibility and recognize conversations in the
downward spiral
Look for Shinning eyes
Enroll every voice in the vision
Quite the voice in our head that says “I can’t do this”
Give everyone an “A”
Remember Rule #6
Zander, R.S., Zander, B. The Art of Possibility :Transforming professionals and
Personal Life. Boston, MA.HBS Press, 2000.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Feed back and the numbers
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Hands on sessions
The case studies - group discussions - easy to
relate to individuals at a more intimate level.
Liked networking with others from different sector
Different perspective than I work in everyday- What
an opportunity
all face similar problems and sharing our
experiences open up a wider range of positive
solutions
Everyone is there as one big team
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
U-First in Action
From Home to Home
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30
Next steps
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How to make this happen in your area
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Find out who are the cross sector facilitators in your
area?
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Don’t have one ask about becoming one!
Contact your regional committee
There is help out there for you. Open the Dialogue!!!
Thank you,
Maureen, Jane, Lisa.
OPPAD-Session D2 March
11,2009-1:30-2:30